As I reflected this past February on my three‑year anniversary as President and CEO of OCCJ, I was especially mindful of the staff members—past and present—who have shaped and strengthened this organization along the way. Leading a 68‑year‑old organization like OCCJ is both a responsibility and an honor, and I remain deeply proud of our shared commitment to Building Bridges and Creating Community for mutual respect and understanding. 

Today, I’m pleased to introduce three new staff members who bring fresh perspectives while honoring the work and dedication of those who came before them. Instead of the usual bios, we invited our newest team members to share some of the media they’re enjoying right now and what makes it meaningful to them. It’s a simple and human way to get to know the people behind the work and the stories that inspire their commitment. 

So, without further ado, I invite you to meet our newest staff members and explore some of their favorite media picks. - Phil Armstrong (he/him)

Irissa Baxter-Luper, Programs Director (she/her) 

The media I’m currently immersed in is: the podcast Too Scary Didn't Watch and the TV show The Pitt.  
I’m a lover of scary stories, so Too Scary Didn’t Watch is my go-to resource for delving into scary movies. It’s one woman who loves scary movies recounting the stories to her friends who are afraid of them. It’s a great place to hear more about movies I’ve recently watched or learn about a movie I’m interested in. Recent scary movie favorites: Undertone and Lake Mungo! 
The Pitt is an amazing show on its second season that covers one day of emergency medicine service in an emergency room in Pittsburgh. Each episode is an hour of the day. I love the way it weaves politics and culture into the stories and, as someone who knows a lot of medical professionals, I’ve heard it’s very accurate! Plus, I was a big ER nerd as a kid, so it’s a fun reminder of that show. 

Danielle Walker, Operations and Engagement Administrator (she/her) 

I’m a big TV fan, so most of my media recommendations are TV shows. My taste is honestly all over the place. I’ll watch just about anything, from crime shows and dramas to reality tv and comedies. Right now, my two favorite shows are Abbott Elementary and Paradise. 

Abbott Elementary is a comedy filmed mock‑documentary style about an underfunded elementary school in Philadelphia. As someone who used to work in education, this show feels very accurate and that’s part of what makes it so funny. The quick jokes and lovable characters keep me laughing at every episode. 

Paradise is my new favorite of mine. It’s a post‑apocalyptic political thriller that had me hooked from the very first episode. There are so many twists and turns that it really keeps your attention. This isn’t usually my go-to genre, but this show is different. Now I’m already counting down to the next season. 

Jeremy Wright, Director of Development (he/him) 

My media recommendations will come in the form of podcasts because I honestly am not a big TV watcher!  

My top podcasts are “Hidden Brain” and “So True with Caleb Hearon”. 

Hidden Brain is a scientific/social podcast that uses science and storytelling to help you understand yourself and the world around you. Each episode touches on a completely different topic that addresses human experiences and how we can learn from other people’s stories.  

So True with Caleb Hearon is a really fun podcast I enjoy listening to because Caleb is a great, comedic host. He has a nice balance of comedic content while also discussing important social issues. I really enjoy the variety of topics and people on the podcast – there is never a dull moment!